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TRANSPORT
The Highways Office of the Engineering Development Department is responsible for the design and building of all highways and roads, and their repair and maintenance. The Royal Hong Kong Police Force enforces traffic legislation and prosecutes offenders.
General Review
The year saw a determined effort on the part of the government to streamline and strengthen further its management, co-ordination and policy-making machinery in the transport field.
The Transport Branch was strengthened by the establishment of a Transport Planning Unit, providing the means to develop a comprehensive, balanced and long-term integrated transport strategy. This unit also co-ordinates and monitors the growing number of transport planning studies being undertaken, including the Land Use Transportation Optimisation Study (LUTO) begun early in''the year. LUTO seeks to identify the most cost-effective development strategy in terms of the transport infrastructure and the development potential of all regions of the territory for new town developments.
The Transport Department underwent a major re-organisation during 1982. To provide an integrated and more effective management, the Traffic and Transport Branch of the Highways Office became part of the Transport Department in April. Having all aspects of transport management and traffic engineering under one department enables greater co-ordination and a more efficient response to transport problems. The department was also re-organised on a regional basis to take account of the need for liaison with the new District Administration Scheme and the need to respond more quickly and effectively to local transport problems.
Legislation
Improvements, too, were made to several major regulatory ordinances. A new Ferry Services Ordinance brought into effect in June provides the Commissioner for Transport with the necessary powers to monitor and regulate the services of the Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited and the Star Ferry Company Limited to ensure that efficient, high standards of service are maintained. It also enables the commissioner to licence a number of minor services, including local craft (kaitos) which provide services to outlying villages in the New Territories.
A new Road Traffic Ordinance was enacted on December 22, 1982. This ordinance replaces legislation originally enacted in 1957 which had become unwieldy and fragmented because of the many amendments made to it over the years. The 13 existing sets of regulations are being streamlined into seven, and the new ordinance will provide an up-to-date, simpler and better-structured piece of legislation for the administration of Hong Kong's roads and traffic when it becomes operational in 1984.
Legislation is also in the planning stage for a driving offence points system.
Improvements to the Road Network
Several major road improvement projects were completed during the year. At the end of 1982 there were 1 227 kilometres of road in the territory: 358 on Hong Kong Island, 354 in Kowloon and 515 in the New Territories. In Hong Kong, traffic density is 277 per kilometre, one of the highest in the world. Accordingly, the planning and design of new roads and improvements to the existing road network are a continuous commitment. During 1982, $790 million was spent on major highway projects and $130 million on improvements and maintenance of the existing roads.